Not surprisingly, Brewer, Evans and Howland believe the current City Council has a great batting average, while Mays thinks his addition to the team would hit it out of the park.

“The most important issues facing Milford are budget and economic development,” said Howland, who currently is vice mayor.

“Milford has faced some major budget cuts over the last few years that required some tough fiscal decisions.

“Council, with the great insight from city staff, has been able to navigate the budget while promoting growth as evident by the vitality of local business markets as well as the Riverwalk Flats project,” Howland said.

Riverwalk Flats, currently under construction on a five-acre tract bordered by Water and Elm streets along the Little Miami River, will include 78 luxury flats and 31 row houses. They are expected to be available for rent by the spring of 2014.

Howland also said, “I feel that my experience in dealing with budgetary constraints during my first term will be beneficial to our continual growth as a viable bedroom community in the Greater Cincinnati area.”

Incumbent Councilwoman Brewer says Milford is in an enviable position.

“Empty storefronts are becoming a thing of the past,” Brewer said.

“We have more restaurants, shops and businesses than we have ever had.

“With the riverfront development near completion we can only expect things to get even better,” Brewer said.

“While the city is aware of the cuts from our local government funds and estate tax, we have been able to continue to work within our means to provide the services that our citizens have come to expect.”

(Page 2 of 2)

Incumbent Councilwoman Evans said Milford must continue to maintain a balanced budget.

“I feel over the past two years we, as council, have made wise decisions and planned ahead to deal with many of the cuts coming from the state,” Evans said.

“Another issue in any city is attracting and retaining quality businesses. This is another area in which I feel the city has excelled over the past year.

“I have supported the city’s business incentive program which offers businesses in certain areas of the city a 50 percent match of funds to improve signage, entryways, painting or other efforts to improve the appearance of the business,” Evans said.

Challenger Mays agrees attracting business is important to Milford, although he looks at the mechanics of how to do that a little differently from the incumbents.

“We must continue to attract all types of businesses to fill our empty storefronts,” Mays said.

“We have to understand that the wife usually decides — based on living conditions – what’s most important to a family when they are deciding where they want to work and live.

“The second consideration then becomes the job offered,” Mays said.

So far as his views on the budget: “We must keep a strong but cost-effective fire and police operation,” Mays said.

The top three vote-getters will join incumbents Geoff Pittman (now mayor), Ed Brady, Charlene Hinners and Jeff Lykins on City Council.